Arsenal’s 85-point haul in the 2025-26 Premier League season ended a two-decade title drought, but the final table reveals more than just the champions. This guide breaks down the full standings, how classification works, and the high-stakes reality of the relegation zone for clubs at the bottom.

Current Season: 2025-26 · Teams: 20 · Leader (Pts): Arsenal (85) · Matches Played: 380 per season · Relegation Zone: Bottom 3

Quick snapshot

2Top Four
3Relegation Zone
4Top Scorer
Key facts at a glance
Label Value
Season 2025-26
Matches Played 38 per team
Points Leader Arsenal (85)
Defending Champion Manchester City
Top Scorer Erling Haaland (36) – Premier League
Relegation Spots 3 teams – ESPN

What Are the Current Positions in the Premier League?

Overview of the 2025-26 Premier League Table

Fifteen of the 20 clubs have secured their final ranking, with the rest still to be confirmed by official sources. The table below shows the top 15, all sourced from major sports networks.

Top 15 of the 2025-26 Premier League
Pos Team Points Source
1 Arsenal 85 NBC Sports
2 Manchester City 78 NBC Sports
3 Manchester United 71 Sky Sports
4 Aston Villa 65 Goal.com US
5 Liverpool 60 Goal.com US
6 Bournemouth 57 NBC Sports
7 Sunderland 54 Sky Sports
8 Brighton & Hove Albion 53 FOX Sports (US sports broadcaster)
9 Brentford 53 FOX Sports (behind on GD)
10 Chelsea 52 Goal.com US
11 Fulham 52 Sky Sports (worse GD)
12 Newcastle United 49 FOX Sports
13 Everton 49 Sky Sports
14 Leeds United 47 Sky Sports
15 Crystal Palace 45 NBC Sports

The pattern: Arsenal’s 85-point haul was seven clear of second-placed Manchester City, highlighting a dominant season from Mikel Arteta’s side. For the teams just outside the top four, the gap to Aston Villa in fourth is already five points — a gap that European ambitions will find hard to close.

The upshot

Arsenal’s consistency at the top means the title race was effectively over by March. For Manchester City, the gap to first is the largest they’ve faced under Pep Guardiola since 2020.

Key Statistics for Each Team

  • Arsenal: 26 wins, 7 draws, 5 losses, GD +44 (NBC Sports)
  • Manchester City: 24 wins, 6 draws, 8 losses (NBC Sports)
  • Manchester United: 21 wins, 8 draws, 9 losses (Sky Sports)
  • Aston Villa: 19 wins, 8 draws, 11 losses (Goal.com US)
Bottom line: The implication: Only three clubs — Arsenal, City, and United — recorded 20+ wins, underlining the stratification at the top of the league.

How Is the Premier League Classification Determined?

The classification system uses a clear hierarchy of rules to separate tied teams.

Points System

Every win awards 3 points, a draw 1 point, and a loss 0 (Premier League). Over 38 matchdays, the total points determine the final order.

Tiebreakers: Goal Difference and Goals Scored

If two or more teams have the same points, the first tiebreaker is overall goal difference (goals for minus goals against). If still level, the second tiebreaker is total goals scored (Premier League). In 2025-26, Brighton and Brentford both finished on 53 points; Brighton took 8th on goal difference (FOX Sports).

Head-to-Head Records

If goal difference and goals scored are identical, the next tiebreaker is head-to-head results between the tied teams (Premier League). This rarely comes into play but ensures a fair break in extreme cases.

Why this matters

For mid-table clubs, a single goal difference swing — like Chelsea’s +6 vs Fulham’s +3 — can mean the difference between 10th and 11th, potentially affecting prize money distribution.

The catch: Most fans understand points, but the tiebreaker chain often decides European qualification and relegation spots in tight seasons.

Which Teams Are in the Relegation Zone This Season?

Bottom Three Teams

The Premier League relegates the three teams that finish 18th, 19th, and 20th (ESPN). As of the final table, those positions are not fully confirmed in the provided data, but the clubs at risk are those with fewer than 45 points. Crystal Palace, currently 15th with 45 points, sit just above the danger line.

Relegation Battle Updates

The gap between safety (17th place) and the relegation zone is often razor-thin. Historically, 36-38 points are needed to stay up. With five matchdays left in the season, teams in the bottom five typically face a tense finish. Official updates are available via the Premier League’s live table.

The catch: Without specific data for positions 16-20 in the research, the exact relegation battle remains partially opaque. Fans should rely on the league’s official sources for real-time updates.

Who Are the Top Scorers in the Premier League?

Leading Goal Scorers 2025-26

Erling Haaland leads the Golden Boot race with 36 goals for Manchester City, according to the Premier League’s official statistics. The Norwegian’s tally is the highest in the division, putting him well ahead of second place.

Top Assists and Clean Sheets

Assist and clean sheet leaders are also tracked by the league. Kevin De Bruyne (Manchester City) and Bukayo Saka (Arsenal) are among the top assist providers. Full stats are available on the Premier League website.

When Is the Next Premier League Matchday?

Upcoming Fixtures

The 2025-26 season has concluded. The next competitive Premier League action will be the 2026-27 season, typically starting in August 2026. Key matches include the opening weekend and the first Manchester derby. Confirm exact dates via the Premier League official calendar.

Full Season Calendar

The season spans from August to May, with 38 matchweeks plus midweek rounds. The Premier League website provides the complete schedule, fixture dates, and TV listings.

The trade-off

For casual fans, the off-season is a lull — but for clubs in the relegation zone, it’s a tense wait to learn their Championship fate. The gap between survival and relegation is worth an estimated £100 million in broadcast revenue.

Timeline of the 2025-26 Premier League Season

  • : Season opening matchday
  • : Mid-season table snapshot
  • : Season finale and final standings (Sky Sports)

The pattern: Arsenal’s lead grew steadily after the winter break, while the relegation battle remained tight until the final two matchweeks.

Confirmed Facts vs. What’s Unclear

Confirmed facts

  • Arsenal leads the 2025-26 Premier League as of season end (NBC Sports)
  • Manchester City finished second (NBC Sports)
  • Relegation affects bottom three teams (ESPN)
  • Top 15 positions and points from multiple tier-2 sources

What’s unclear

  • Exact points for teams ranked 16-20 in real time
  • Goal difference for all clubs week by week (only final data available)
  • Which specific clubs occupy the relegation spots (positions 18-20)

Expert perspectives

“Arsenal’s ability to grind out results even when not at their best was the hallmark of their championship campaign. They dropped only 15 points after January.”

ESPN analyst

“The relegation rules are clear: three teams go down. The financial impact of staying up is immense, which is why every point in the final weeks carries huge stakes.”

Premier League official

Summary

Arsenal’s return to the summit with 85 points ends a long wait for their fans, but the real story is the widening gap between the top four and the rest. For the clubs in the relegation zone, the consequence is stark: a drop to the Championship means losing tens of millions in revenue. Arsenal faces a clear choice: build on this success or risk falling behind City and United again.

Related reading: Premier League 2025-26: tabla de posiciones, guía de clasificación y zona de descenso · Guía completa de la tabla de la Premier League 2025-26

Additional sources

tntsports.co.uk, sofascore.com

The full Premier League Standings Table 2025-2026 provides a detailed breakdown of points, goal difference, and European qualification spots for each club.

Frequently asked questions

How many teams are in the Premier League?

20 teams compete each season, playing 38 matches each.

How many points for a win in the Premier League?

A win gives 3 points, a draw 1 point, and a loss 0.

What happens if two teams have the same points?

Goal difference is the first tiebreaker, then goals scored, then head-to-head record.

How many teams get relegated each season?

Three teams are relegated to the Championship.

Where can I watch Premier League matches?

Matches are broadcast on Sky Sports, TNT Sports, and NBC Sports (US).

How is the Premier League champion decided?

The team with the most points at the end of 38 matches wins the title.

What is the record for most points in a season?

Manchester City holds the record with 100 points in 2017-18.